Boat travelling with 4 people found, after dayslong search

Contact has been made with a boat, which went missing in the weekend, after setting off from K. Thilafushi to M. Medhufushi Island Resort, carrying four people.

The cargo boat ‘AAA-37’ left Thilafushi at around 06:00 am Friday, carrying four men; three Bangladeshis and a Maldivian.

It was reported missing to the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) at around 05:20 pm, the same day.

In a statement on Monday morning, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said it has made contact with the boat, and that the Coast Guard ship Shaheed Ali was travelling to the location.

It provided no further details.

The disappearance of the boat had sparked a dayslong search and rescue operation, with the MNDF searching over 10,000 square nautical miles by air and sea.

It also came as Maldives experiences intense monsoon rains, with authorities advising all, especially seafarers, to exercise caution.